A couple of teams that are firmly in playoff contention, the Boston Bruins and the St. Louis Blues face off at the Enterprise Center. The action gets going at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 23, and fans at home can watch this East-West matchup live on New England Sports Network.
Boston Bruins vs. St. Louis Blues Odds
St. Louis (-125) is currently favored over Boston (+105), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -125 for the under and +105 for the over.
Boston is 36-25 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 61 regular season contests, 34 of its games have gone under the total, while 24 have gone over and just three have pushed. As the away team in 2018-19, the Bruins are 15-15 SU.
Boston comes into the match up with the third-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s converted on 26.5 percent of its extra-man opportunities this year. Its penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.6 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, Boston has been penalized 3.9 times per game overall during the 2018-19 season, 3.6 per game over its last five matchups total, and 4.0 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 8.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 26.2 saves per game with a .918 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (20-13-4) has been the top option in goal for Boston this season. If Boston chooses to rest him, however, the team could turn to Jaroslav Halak (16-15-4 record, .924 save percentage, 2.33 goals against average).
Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Bruins. Marchand (71 points) is up to 24 goals and 47 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 22 different games. Pastrnak has 31 goals and 35 assists to his credit (and has notched at least one point in 37 games).
Over on the other bench, St. Louis is 32-28 straight up (SU) and has earned 3.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. 32 of its outings have gone under the total, while 25 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 15-15 SU as the home team this season.
St. Louis has converted on 19.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.6 percent of all penalties.
St. Louis players have been penalized 3.7 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties just 7.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jake Allen (24.6 saves per game) has been the top choice in the crease for St. Louis. Allen has 17 wins, 21 losses, and four overtime losses to his name and has registered a poor .901 save percentage and 2.98 goals against average this season.
The home team will be led on offense by Ryan O’Reilly (24 goals, 39 assists).
Boston Bruins at St. Louis Blues Betting Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Blues, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Two of Boston’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this season.
- The under has hit in four of St. Louis’ last five games.
- Boston has managed 26.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while St. Louis is averaging 36.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Four of Boston’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-0 in those games.
- Boston skaters have accounted for the league’s 10th-most hits per game (23.5).
